Willis Rhea Knight, 78, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2023, at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was born on June 20, 1945, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to the late Wiliford Rhea and Daisy Jane Patterson Knight. Willis honorably served in the United States Army as an electrician. For 16 years, he worked as a Lineman for Dallas Power and Light in Dallas, Texas, before retiring and relocating to Rogers, Arkansas. On November 3, 1974, he married the love of his life, Janice Betts, in Highland Falls, New York. Willis had a profound love for music, often sharing gospel CDs with grocery store shoppers and others, frequently accompanied by an Iris flower bulb. His generosity and warm spirit touched the lives of many. Mr. Knight was a devoted member of the Bentonville Seventh Day Adventist Church. Above all, Willis cherished his family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Billy Reese Wilson.

Willis is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Janice Knight of Rogers; his children: Rodney and wife Susan Watkins of Irving, Texas, David Rhea and wife Elizabeth Knight of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Kirsten and husband Brent Batson of Austin, Texas. He leaves behind four grandsons: Jordan Batson and his wife, Megan of Austin, Texas, Jace Batson of Austin, Texas, Hunter Watkins of Irving, Texas, and Grant Watkins of Irving; as well as three granddaughters: Breanne and husband Robbie MacNaughton of Colorado, Brittany and husband Brian Cox of Waxahachie, Texas, and Mabel Bland Knight of Philadelphia. Willis also welcomed four great-grandsons: Malcomb Watkins of Irving, Texas, Andrew Cox of Waxahachie, Texas, Crew Cox of Waxahachie, Texas, and Tatum Cox of Waxahachie, Texas, along with two great-granddaughters: Everly Watkins of Irving, Texas, and Brynn Batson of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his sisters: Jane Marie and husband Roy Daniels of Quinlan, Texas, and Jessie Knight of Wills Point, Texas; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Graveside service to celebrate Willis's life will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, located at 1000 S Lt Col Leroy Pond Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Benton County Memorial Park & Funeral Home, and they can be reached at (479) 636-2412.